Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what estimate he has made of the average increase in hourly pay for adult social care workers arising from the Fair Pay Agreement in each of the first five years following its implementation.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Government has taken a major step in boosting the wages and working conditions of adult social care workers across England, having announced a £500 million investment into the first ever Fair Pay Agreement in the sector. This forms part of an increase of over £4.6 billion of additional funding available for adult social care in 2028/29, compared to 2025/26.

The final level of any increase to pay or conditions will depend on the outcome of negotiations between employer and worker representatives in the Adult Social Care Negotiating Body. This will cover all adult social care workers as defined in the Employment Rights Act 2025, including agency staff.

Over this Parliament, alongside our changes to the minimum wage and new measures in the Employment Rights Act, care workers will receive one of the biggest upgrades in their pay, employment rights, and conditions in a generation.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether local authorities will receive additional funding beyond the £500 million announced to meet any increased commissioning costs resulting from the Fair Pay Agreement.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Government has taken a major step in boosting the wages and working conditions of adult social care workers across England, having announced a £500 million investment into the first ever Fair Pay Agreement in the sector. This forms part of an increase of over £4.6 billion of additional funding available for adult social care in 2028/29, compared to 2025/26.

The final level of any increase to pay or conditions will depend on the outcome of negotiations between employer and worker representatives in the Adult Social Care Negotiating Body. This will cover all adult social care workers as defined in the Employment Rights Act 2025, including agency staff.

Over this Parliament, alongside our changes to the minimum wage and new measures in the Employment Rights Act, care workers will receive one of the biggest upgrades in their pay, employment rights, and conditions in a generation.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Fair Pay Agreement on the number of agency staff in adult social care.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Government has taken a major step in boosting the wages and working conditions of adult social care workers across England, having announced a £500 million investment into the first ever Fair Pay Agreement in the sector. This forms part of an increase of over £4.6 billion of additional funding available for adult social care in 2028/29, compared to 2025/26.

The final level of any increase to pay or conditions will depend on the outcome of negotiations between employer and worker representatives in the Adult Social Care Negotiating Body. This will cover all adult social care workers as defined in the Employment Rights Act 2025, including agency staff.

Over this Parliament, alongside our changes to the minimum wage and new measures in the Employment Rights Act, care workers will receive one of the biggest upgrades in their pay, employment rights, and conditions in a generation.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether the Government intends to publish draft legislation for pre-legislative scrutiny before introducing a Bill to reform weddings law.

Answered by Jake Richards - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)

On 16 July, the Government published the consultation ‘Tying the Knot: Reforming weddings law in England and Wales alongside an impact assessment of the proposed reforms. The impact assessment estimates that the reforms could lead to a 3% increase in the overall number of weddings.

In relation to demand for approved wedding venues, allowing couples to marry in a wider range of locations could change patterns of demand, although the estimated increase in the overall number of weddings may also create additional opportunities for existing venues. We will consider evidence from venues and other businesses submitted through the consultation.

The Government has not yet made a final assessment of the financial impact on local authority registration services. We are continuing to work closely with the General Register Office (GRO) and local authorities on the potential implications.

One of the main four principles underpinning the consultation is to protect against forced, predatory and sham marriages. This Government wants to strengthen safeguards and ensure marriages are not used to gain unfair advantage. We are proposing a more effective system of checks and greater transparency to ensure marriages are entered into freely, with informed consent. The consultation asks questions in order to identify how protections against sham marriage can be enhanced, with improved signposting for couples and training for officiants, for example.

The Government has committed to introduce legislation to reform marriage law when parliamentary time allows.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the proposed reforms on the prevention and detection of sham marriages.

Answered by Jake Richards - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)

On 16 July, the Government published the consultation ‘Tying the Knot: Reforming weddings law in England and Wales alongside an impact assessment of the proposed reforms. The impact assessment estimates that the reforms could lead to a 3% increase in the overall number of weddings.

In relation to demand for approved wedding venues, allowing couples to marry in a wider range of locations could change patterns of demand, although the estimated increase in the overall number of weddings may also create additional opportunities for existing venues. We will consider evidence from venues and other businesses submitted through the consultation.

The Government has not yet made a final assessment of the financial impact on local authority registration services. We are continuing to work closely with the General Register Office (GRO) and local authorities on the potential implications.

One of the main four principles underpinning the consultation is to protect against forced, predatory and sham marriages. This Government wants to strengthen safeguards and ensure marriages are not used to gain unfair advantage. We are proposing a more effective system of checks and greater transparency to ensure marriages are entered into freely, with informed consent. The consultation asks questions in order to identify how protections against sham marriage can be enhanced, with improved signposting for couples and training for officiants, for example.

The Government has committed to introduce legislation to reform marriage law when parliamentary time allows.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the proposed reforms on the financial viability of local authority registration services.

Answered by Jake Richards - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)

On 16 July, the Government published the consultation ‘Tying the Knot: Reforming weddings law in England and Wales alongside an impact assessment of the proposed reforms. The impact assessment estimates that the reforms could lead to a 3% increase in the overall number of weddings.

In relation to demand for approved wedding venues, allowing couples to marry in a wider range of locations could change patterns of demand, although the estimated increase in the overall number of weddings may also create additional opportunities for existing venues. We will consider evidence from venues and other businesses submitted through the consultation.

The Government has not yet made a final assessment of the financial impact on local authority registration services. We are continuing to work closely with the General Register Office (GRO) and local authorities on the potential implications.

One of the main four principles underpinning the consultation is to protect against forced, predatory and sham marriages. This Government wants to strengthen safeguards and ensure marriages are not used to gain unfair advantage. We are proposing a more effective system of checks and greater transparency to ensure marriages are entered into freely, with informed consent. The consultation asks questions in order to identify how protections against sham marriage can be enhanced, with improved signposting for couples and training for officiants, for example.

The Government has committed to introduce legislation to reform marriage law when parliamentary time allows.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what estimate she has made of the potential impact of the proposed reforms on demand for approved wedding venues.

Answered by Jake Richards - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)

On 16 July, the Government published the consultation ‘Tying the Knot: Reforming weddings law in England and Wales alongside an impact assessment of the proposed reforms. The impact assessment estimates that the reforms could lead to a 3% increase in the overall number of weddings.

In relation to demand for approved wedding venues, allowing couples to marry in a wider range of locations could change patterns of demand, although the estimated increase in the overall number of weddings may also create additional opportunities for existing venues. We will consider evidence from venues and other businesses submitted through the consultation.

The Government has not yet made a final assessment of the financial impact on local authority registration services. We are continuing to work closely with the General Register Office (GRO) and local authorities on the potential implications.

One of the main four principles underpinning the consultation is to protect against forced, predatory and sham marriages. This Government wants to strengthen safeguards and ensure marriages are not used to gain unfair advantage. We are proposing a more effective system of checks and greater transparency to ensure marriages are entered into freely, with informed consent. The consultation asks questions in order to identify how protections against sham marriage can be enhanced, with improved signposting for couples and training for officiants, for example.

The Government has committed to introduce legislation to reform marriage law when parliamentary time allows.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what estimate she has made of the number of additional marriages that would take place annually if the proposed reforms are implemented.

Answered by Jake Richards - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)

On 16 July, the Government published the consultation ‘Tying the Knot: Reforming weddings law in England and Wales alongside an impact assessment of the proposed reforms. The impact assessment estimates that the reforms could lead to a 3% increase in the overall number of weddings.

In relation to demand for approved wedding venues, allowing couples to marry in a wider range of locations could change patterns of demand, although the estimated increase in the overall number of weddings may also create additional opportunities for existing venues. We will consider evidence from venues and other businesses submitted through the consultation.

The Government has not yet made a final assessment of the financial impact on local authority registration services. We are continuing to work closely with the General Register Office (GRO) and local authorities on the potential implications.

One of the main four principles underpinning the consultation is to protect against forced, predatory and sham marriages. This Government wants to strengthen safeguards and ensure marriages are not used to gain unfair advantage. We are proposing a more effective system of checks and greater transparency to ensure marriages are entered into freely, with informed consent. The consultation asks questions in order to identify how protections against sham marriage can be enhanced, with improved signposting for couples and training for officiants, for example.

The Government has committed to introduce legislation to reform marriage law when parliamentary time allows.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that schools comply with statutory requirements on financial education.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)

Pupils currently receive financial education through the mathematics and citizenship curricula.

The department is committed to strengthening pupils’ foundational understanding of financial education in mathematics and citizenship, following publication of the Curriculum and Assessment Review final report in November 2025. The department will engage with sector experts and young people to determine how best to reflect this, and ensure compliance with requirements, in the updated curriculum. There will be a public consultation on updated curriculum programmes of study in 2026, seeking views on the content before they are finalised.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Oral Statement: Enduring Relationships Strategy for Children’s Social Care of 4 June 2026, what assessment she has made of the availability of specialist residential provision for children with autism, mental health needs and complex health conditions; and what steps she is taking to improve access to such provision.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)

The department recently published ‘Enduring relationships’, setting out an expectation that local authorities and those helping children in care are supported to develop and maintain enduring relationships with key people in their lives. Full details can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/enduring-relationships-for-care-experienced-children/enduring-relationships.

Local authorities are responsible for ensuring there are sufficient school places for all pupils, including those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

As set out in our recent consultation on SEND reform, the government seeks to meet need at the earliest stage, avoid escalation to crisis, and enable children and young people to remain in their families and communities.

Residential provision may be the right way to meet the needs of some children and young people, but it can also remove them from their families and local support networks. We recognise there will always be a small group of children who require more intensive, round-the-clock care alongside their education or healthcare in a residential setting. However, we want to create a system where more children can access an education at home with their families.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will make an estimate of the number of hours spent (a) responding to and (b) preparing for Westminster Hall Debates by (i) government ministers, (ii) civil servants and (iii) special advisers in her Department for each parliamentary session for which the information is available.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

It is not possible to provide an estimate for hours spent preparing Ministers to respond to Westminster Hall Debates. There will be differences in the Civil Service, Special Adviser and Ministerial time depending on the policy matter and length of the debate. Debates can also be cross-cutting and require resources from multiple departments or engage departmental bodies

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many air passengers have been arrested for importing cannabis into the UK in each year since 2020 by (a) age, (b) sex, (c) nationality and (d) country of departure.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

Border Force has seized record amounts of drugs in recent years, including record quantities of cannabis. Information on Border Force drug seizures is published through the Government's drug seizure statistics and migration transparency data. Publicly available data show that Border Force seized approximately 205,022 kilograms of cannabis between January 2020 and March 2026. .https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/seizures-of-drugs-in-england-and-wales-financial-year-ending-2025/seizures-of-drugs-in-england-and-wales-financial-year-ending-2025

The Home Office does not hold verified statistics suitable for publication on the number of air passengers arrested for importing cannabis into the United Kingdom, broken down by age, sex, nationality or country of departure.

The Home Office also does not hold verified annual statistics suitable for publication on the quantity of cannabis seized specifically from air passengers in the format requested.

Border Force works relentlessly to prevent illicit drugs from entering the United Kingdom and continues to work closely with law enforcement, health services and international partners to disrupt criminal supply chains. The Government remains committed to tackling drug-related harm, including through prevention and enforcement.

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/migration-transparency-datahttps://www.gov.uk/government/collections/seizures-of-drugs-in-england-and-wales

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many tonnes of cannabis were seized from air passengers in each year since 2020.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

Border Force has seized record amounts of drugs in recent years, including record quantities of cannabis. Information on Border Force drug seizures is published through the Government's drug seizure statistics and migration transparency data. Publicly available data show that Border Force seized approximately 205,022 kilograms of cannabis between January 2020 and March 2026. .https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/seizures-of-drugs-in-england-and-wales-financial-year-ending-2025/seizures-of-drugs-in-england-and-wales-financial-year-ending-2025

The Home Office does not hold verified statistics suitable for publication on the number of air passengers arrested for importing cannabis into the United Kingdom, broken down by age, sex, nationality or country of departure.

The Home Office also does not hold verified annual statistics suitable for publication on the quantity of cannabis seized specifically from air passengers in the format requested.

Border Force works relentlessly to prevent illicit drugs from entering the United Kingdom and continues to work closely with law enforcement, health services and international partners to disrupt criminal supply chains. The Government remains committed to tackling drug-related harm, including through prevention and enforcement.

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/migration-transparency-datahttps://www.gov.uk/government/collections/seizures-of-drugs-in-england-and-wales

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, with reference to the press release issued by UK Export Finance entitled UK Export Finance and British Business Bank to launch joint scheme to support thousands of smaller exporters, published on 12 July 2026, what criteria will be used to determine eligibility for the joint SME export finance scheme.

Answered by Chris McDonald - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

UK Export Finance (UKEF) and the British Business Bank (BBB) are working together to develop a new joint scheme to support smaller exporters, as announced on 12 July 2026.

The scheme remains in development, and detailed eligibility criteria have not yet been finalised. UKEF and the BBB are working closely with lenders and other relevant stakeholders to develop the scheme and determine eligibility criteria, with the aim of making support accessible to a broad range of smaller UK businesses.

Final eligibility criteria will be confirmed and published with the scheme's launch in Spring 2027.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many complaints relating to Buy-Now, Pay-Later products were received by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Financial Ombudsman Service in each of the last five years.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

Buy-Now, Pay-Later (BNPL) products were brought into FCA regulation in July 2026 and providers are now subject to the FCA’s rules for consumer credit firms. The rules require firms to identify and support customers in financial difficulty, treat them with appropriate forbearance, regularly review the support provided, and refer borrowers to free, independent debt advice where appropriate.

Complaints relating to BNPL were not subject to complaints reporting requirements so reliable figures are not available. Going forward, the Financial Conduct Authority and the Financial Ombudsman Service will record data on complaints relating to BNPL products.

The government will continue to monitor the BNPL market closely, working with the FCA and industry.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what guidance has been issued to Buy-Now, Pay-Later providers on referring customers in financial difficulty to debt advice services.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

Buy-Now, Pay-Later (BNPL) products were brought into FCA regulation in July 2026 and providers are now subject to the FCA’s rules for consumer credit firms. The rules require firms to identify and support customers in financial difficulty, treat them with appropriate forbearance, regularly review the support provided, and refer borrowers to free, independent debt advice where appropriate.

Complaints relating to BNPL were not subject to complaints reporting requirements so reliable figures are not available. Going forward, the Financial Conduct Authority and the Financial Ombudsman Service will record data on complaints relating to BNPL products.

The government will continue to monitor the BNPL market closely, working with the FCA and industry.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what guidance has been issued to Buy-Now, Pay-Later providers on referring customers in financial difficulty to debt advice services.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

Buy-Now, Pay-Later (BNPL) products were brought into FCA regulation in July 2026 and providers are now subject to the FCA’s rules for consumer credit firms. The rules require firms to identify and support customers in financial difficulty, treat them with appropriate forbearance, regularly review the support provided, and refer borrowers to free, independent debt advice where appropriate.

Complaints relating to BNPL were not subject to complaints reporting requirements so reliable figures are not available. Going forward, the Financial Conduct Authority and the Financial Ombudsman Service will record data on complaints relating to BNPL products.

The government will continue to monitor the BNPL market closely, working with the FCA and industry.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether the Government plans to introduce alternative arrangements to enable people who are unable to access deposit return centres to reclaim deposits paid on drinks containers.

Answered by Emma Hardy - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

Exchange for Change have been working closely with DRS scheme operators overseas to understand how to make the scheme as accessible as possible. Their website and contact details can be found here.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment has been made of the potential impact of the Deposit Return Scheme on people who rely on online grocery deliveries and are unable to purchase food and drink in person.

Answered by Emma Hardy - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The impact on people who rely on online grocery deliveries was considered in our Deposit Return Scheme Equality Impact Assessment, which can be found here.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, What estimate he has made of the average time taken between an application to enforce a Child Arrangements Order being issued and the court determining the application.

Answered by Jake Richards - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)

The Government does not hold data on the average time taken between an application to enforce a Child Arrangement Order being issued and the court determining the application. This is because applications for enforcement cannot currently be linked directly to orders made. Obtaining this data would incur disproportionate costs.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the reasons for the North West region being the region with the highest number of asylum seekers in receipt of Home Office support by Local Authority.

Answered by Anna Turley - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Government is committed to the Full Dispersal Model, under which all local authority areas are expected to participate in the asylum accommodation system.

The purpose of full dispersal is to ensure that responsibility for supporting asylum seekers is shared more equitably across the United Kingdom and that no individual local authority or region bears a disproportionate share of the burden. The level of accommodation sought in each area is informed by the Asylum Accommodation Plans, which are underpinned by an evidence-based indexing model that takes account of local pressures and housing availability.

The distribution of asylum seekers in receipt of Home Office support reflects a range of operational and market factors, including the availability of suitable accommodation, the historic participation of local authorities in the dispersal system, and the ability of accommodation providers to procure properties in particular areas.

The North West has participated in asylum dispersal arrangements for many years and has historically accommodated a significant proportion of supported asylum seekers. This reflects the availability of dispersed accommodation and the established presence of accommodation providers operating in the region.

The latest published Immigration Statistics detail the number of supported asylum seekers accommodated in each local authority area, including those in dispersal properties. These statistics can be found at Immigration system statistics data tables - GOV.UK.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Business and Trade on measures to reduce food price inflation.

Answered by Stephen Morgan - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The Ministers and Secretary of State for the Department of the Environment Food and Rural Affairs have many discussions with their counterparts across Government on a variety of issues, which have included discussions on food price inflation. The department is actively monitoring food price inflation as part of this Government’s focus on Cost of Living pressures.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what assessment he made of alternative options to nationalisation before concluding that it was necessary in the public interest.

Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade) (Jointly with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Government engaged extensively and in good faith with Jingye to seek a negotiated commercial solution that resolved the ownership of the firm.

However, despite those efforts, it was not possible to reach an agreement that was in the interests of taxpayers. The Government concluded based on the relevant factors that nationalisation was necessary in the public interest.

Question to the Leader of the House:

To ask the Leader of the House, what estimate he has made of the annual cost to Government Departments of preparing for and responding to Westminster Hall debates.

Answered by Alan Campbell - Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons

It is not possible to provide an exact cost for preparing Ministers to respond to Westminster Hall Debates. There will be differences in the costs of Civil Service, Special Adviser and Ministerial time depending on the policy matter and length of the debate. Debates can also be cross-cutting and require resources from multiple departments or engage departmental bodies.

Question to the Leader of the House:

To ask the Leader of the House, what formal mechanisms exist to monitor whether undertakings given by Ministers during Westminster Hall debates are fulfilled.

Answered by Alan Campbell - Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons

Ministers have a duty to Parliament to account, and be held to account, for the policies, decisions and actions of their departments. Westminster Hall debates are a valuable opportunity for Members to debate subjects for which the Government is responsible. It is a matter for individual departments and Ministers to ensure that commitments during these debates are monitored and fulfilled.

Question to the Leader of the House:

To ask the Leader of the House, what the average attendance by honourable and right honourable Members was at Westminster Hall debates in each of the last five parliamentary Sessions.

Answered by Alan Campbell - Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons

The information requested is not held. The attendance of Members at Westminster Hall debates is not a matter for the Government.

Members’ contributions to Westminster Hall debates can be found at: https://hansard.parliament.uk/.

Question to the Leader of the House:

To ask the Leader of the House, how many commitments made by Ministers during Westminster Hall debates have subsequently resulted in (a) policy changes, (b) new funding announcements and (c) legislative proposals in each of the last five parliamentary Sessions.

Answered by Alan Campbell - Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons

The information requested is not held.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she has commissioned an internal review into the decision-making process for proposed changes to the Coastguard Rescue Service.

Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

My department undertook further work to scrutinise the information that was provided to inform decision making for the Coastguard Rescue Service model. Following this, I confirmed on 16 July that plans to move to an expenses-only volunteer model in September would no longer go ahead, pausing implementation to consider the right arrangements for Coastguard Rescue Officers.

We are considering in depth the options for the future of the Coastguard Rescue Service. Our priority is to ensure the service remains safe, effective and sustainable in the long term. Coastguard Rescue Officers make an extraordinary contribution across the United Kingdom, and this Government is incredibly grateful to them for their invaluable public service.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an estimate of the cost to households of bus fare increases between July 2024 and July 2026.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The change in total household spending on bus travel between July 2024 and July 2026 would be influenced by a range of factors, including number of trips, regional fare levels, and the mix of ticket types and travel passes purchased.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what the regional distribution of funding will be under the National Space Innovation Programme.

Answered by Chris McDonald - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The National Space Innovation Programme (NSIP) does not allocate funding according to regional distribution. Proposals are assessed competitively on their individual strength against the published criteria, irrespective of location.

Since 2020, NSIP has awarded 124 grants worth a combined £85.8m. The regional distribution of project leads, and associated funding is set out below:

The regional spread of awards broadly reflects the distribution of space capabilities, companies and clusters across the UK.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment she has made with Cabinet colleagues on whether mobile phone alerts should be targeted at areas subject to the highest level of heat-health risk, rather than issued nationally.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The alert to which the Hon Member refers related specifically to the risk of wildfires and did not provide general health advice.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the Government's use of mobile phone alerts to communicate health advice to the public during periods of extreme heat in 2026.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The alert to which the Hon Member refers related specifically to the risk of wildfires and did not provide general health advice.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether retailers will be expected to operate a Challenge 25 policy for the sale of high-caffeine energy drinks.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

I refer the Hon Member to the documentation published at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/banning-the-sale-of-high-caffeine-energy-drinks-to-children

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what additional funding will be provided to local authorities to enforce the proposed ban on high caffeine energy drinks.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

I refer the Hon Member to the documentation published at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/banning-the-sale-of-high-caffeine-energy-drinks-to-children

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the evidential basis is for determining the age threshold for banning the sale of high-caffeine energy drinks to children.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

I refer the Hon Member to the documentation published at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/banning-the-sale-of-high-caffeine-energy-drinks-to-children

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what products fall within the definition of a high-caffeine energy drink.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

I refer the Hon Member to the documentation published at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/banning-the-sale-of-high-caffeine-energy-drinks-to-children

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, when she plans to launch the consultation on making vape shops a sui generis planning use.

Answered by Jim McMahon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

To give communities and councils greater control over the future of their high streets, we will consult on new planning rules so that most shops changing use to vape shops and adult gaming centres will need to submit a planning application before opening. The consultation on the change will be published in the Autumn.

Whilst the introduction of a licensing for tobacco and vaping retailers using powers in the Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026 will strengthen enforcement, these changes will give councils greater powers to prevent clustering or new shops opening in inappropriate locations, such as near schools.

A clearer definition of a vape shop, combined with planning controls, will help local planning authorities identify and monitor premises whose primary purpose is the sale of vapes. Evidence on likely impacts and whether other premises should also be restricted will be gathered through consultation and considered before final policy decisions are made.

We will also review business rates reliefs for businesses that do not make a positive contribution to local communities. Further detail will be set out at the Budget, following careful consideration of the impact of different policy options and definitions on different types of businesses.

These measures are initial steps towards a wider High Streets Strategy, to be published later this year.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, how Ministers will monitor the performance of the Board of British Steel Limited.

Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade) (Jointly with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Government will monitor the performance of the Board of British Steel Limited through shareholder governance arrangements, including regular reporting and engagement against objectives in the Shareholder Framework Document, which will set out the relationship between British Steel and its shareholder, the Department for Business, Innovation, Science & Trade, and will be published shortly. The Board and management will be held to account for delivery against those objectives. Ministers will also remain accountable to Parliament for the company while it is in public ownership.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, whether all existing customer and supplier contracts remain in force following nationalisation.

Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade) (Jointly with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The transfer and continuity provisions were intended to preserve contractual continuity following the transfer of British Steel Limited into public ownership. Rights and obligations under existing customer and supplier contracts transferred by operation of law to the new government-owned British Steel Limited. As a result, customer and supplier contracts continue in force following nationalisation, subject to their existing terms and any future amendments agreed by the parties.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, whether the Government intends to retain British Steel Limited in public ownership permanently.

Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade) (Jointly with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Public ownership provides the immediate platform from which the Government can stabilise the company and consider its future direction by exploring what opportunities there may be to deliver a long-term future for the company, including possible options for private sector investment.

The Government recognises that securing the long-term future of the UK's steel sector relies on both public and private investment for modernisation.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of nationalising British Steel Limited over (a) one year, (b) five years and (c) ten years.

Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade) (Jointly with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Since April 2025, the Government has provided approximately £625 million for working capital at British Steel. The longer-term cost to the public purse will depend on future decisions about the company’s operations and any private sector involvement. Delivering the best outcomes for the taxpayer has been, and will remain, a key priority for this Government.

In accordance with the Steel Industry (Nationalisation) Act 2026, an independent valuer will be appointed to determine what compensation, if any, is payable, and the Government will abide by that determination. A right of appeal to a court or tribunal will be provided to both parties. There is nothing preventing an outcome of nil compensation.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what was the total consideration paid by the Government in acquiring British Steel Limited.

Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade) (Jointly with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Since April 2025, the Government has provided approximately £625 million for working capital at British Steel. The longer-term cost to the public purse will depend on future decisions about the company’s operations and any private sector involvement. Delivering the best outcomes for the taxpayer has been, and will remain, a key priority for this Government.

In accordance with the Steel Industry (Nationalisation) Act 2026, an independent valuer will be appointed to determine what compensation, if any, is payable, and the Government will abide by that determination. A right of appeal to a court or tribunal will be provided to both parties. There is nothing preventing an outcome of nil compensation.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what liabilities have transferred to the Government as part of the nationalisation of British Steel Limited.

Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade) (Jointly with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The powers in the Steel Industry (Nationalisation) Act enabled the Business Secretary to bring British Steel into public ownership by way of asset transfer. This includes all property, rights and liabilities (unless otherwise specified) and as such, any liabilities to suppliers or contractors will continue to be met by British Steel Ltd. The regulations laid on 16th July provide detail on certain exclusions, as set out in the SI schedule. The extent of some liabilities will depend on the future operational plans for the site.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many prison cells are unfit for habitation as a result of unfit fire security doors and suitable electrics.

Answered by Catherine McKinnell - Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)

As of 4 September 2026, there are no prison cells deemed unfit for habitation as a result of unfit fire security doors. In relation to electrical infrastructure, 80 places are currently out of use across the prison estate.

His Majesty’s Prison & Probation Service is committed to delivering sustained improvements across the prison estate to maintain safe, secure, and decent environments that support rehabilitation.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will make an estimate of the number of hours spent (a) responding to and (b) preparing for Westminster Hall Debates by (i) government ministers, (ii) civil servants and (iii) special advisers in her Department for each parliamentary session for which the information is available.

Answered by Jim McMahon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to UIN 17475 on 15 July 2026.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking with her French counterpart to tackle encampments of people whose intention is to cross the channel to gain access to the UK illegally.

Answered by Jo White - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)

The Home Secretary works closely with the French Minister of the Interior to tackle illegal migration and the organised criminal gangs that facilitate it. The three-year funding deal, signed by the Home Secretary and her French counterpart in April, is preventing dangerous small boat crossings, saving lives and tackling organised immigration crime. This deal significantly has significantly boosted law enforcement boots on the ground, who are now supported by enhanced drone surveillance, helicopters and camera systems. UK-France intelligence sharing has increased to target smuggling networks at every stage of the route. French authorities are using new maritime tactics to target so-called taxi boats. Since March, 12 vessels have been intercepted on the water before they could collect additional migrants along the coastline. Together, these measures aim to stop boats before launch and make these perilous crossings less viable. The agreement also supports expanded detention and removals capacity in France, alongside enhanced operational activity to disrupt migrant movements and smuggling networks across the route.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what criteria were used to determine the allocation of funding for new railway ticket gates.

Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

Train operators submitted proposals for consideration and these were assessed primarily on the basis of value for money. This included forecast revenue benefits and whole-life costs; deliverability and achievability of implementation timescales; local operational considerations, such as levels of anti-social behaviour and station layout constraints; and interactions with existing or planned pay-as-you-go ticketing schemes.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make an estimate of the number of hours spent (a) responding to and (b) preparing for Westminster Hall Debates by (i) government ministers, (ii) civil servants and (iii) special advisers in his Department for each parliamentary session for which the information is available.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with HM Treasury)

There will be differences in the use of Civil Service, Special Adviser and Ministerial time depending on the policy matter and length of Westminster Hall debates, and these can often involve input from multiple departments and external bodies. It is therefore not possible to provide an estimate of the time for preparing Ministers to respond.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what training will be provided to teachers ahead of the introduction of new media literacy content relating to artificial intelligence and online safety.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)

Media literacy is currently covered in the citizenship, relationships, sex and health education (RSHE) and computing curricula.

On 15 July 2025, the government published updated RSHE statutory guidance introducing new content on artificial intelligence (AI), online safety and pornography, which is now mandatory from 1 September 2026.

The department expects to hold a public consultation on proposals for the curriculum and assessment system, including media literacy, in due course, following publication of the government response to the Curriculum and Assessment Review final report in November 2025.

We will continue to invest in the National Centre for Computing Education to deliver free and flexible online courses which equip teachers with the knowledge they need to embed age-appropriate teaching of AI into computing lessons.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many Remediable Service Statements (RSSs) remained outstanding for members of the Teachers' Pension Scheme as at 1 April 2026; how many remain outstanding as at the latest available date; and how many of those outstanding cases relate to retired members.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)

As of 31 March 2026, 478,761 Remediable Service Statements (RSSs) remained outstanding. Currently, 466,909 remain outstanding for members of the Teachers' Pension Scheme. Of these, 64,484 relate to retired members.

The majority of retired members impacted by the McCloud remedy will have the option to retain their benefits currently in payment. If they decide to choose the alternative benefits, the RSS will provide them with all the detail to make an informed choice, including the implications this choice will have on the benefits they currently receive. Any change in benefits will be backdated and details of this are also included in the RSS.

As the Minister for School Standards, I have official responsibility for the Teachers’ Pension Scheme, which includes delivery of the rectification work following the McCloud judgement.

The department recognises that there have been delays in the processing of McCloud remedy cases. Officials continue to closely monitor progress and work with Capita to address these delays, while also working with the incoming administrator, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), to ensure the remedy work is a key focus following the transition in administration.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of the impact of the residential expectations placed on High Court judges on the geographical diversity of applicants for appointment.

Answered by Sarah Sackman - Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)

No assessment has been made of the geographical diversity of applicants to the High Court. High Court judge Terms and Conditions, issued upon appointment by the Lord Chancellor, set out that their main workplace is the Royal Courts of Justice in London as a significant proportion of a High Court judge's sittings take place there or at other Central London courts. Relocation support is available for existing judges appointed to the High Court, if they need to move to take up appointment.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if she will provide an estimate of the number of hours were spent (a) responding to and (b) preparing for Westminster Hall Debates by (i) government ministers, (ii) civil servants and (iii) special advisers in her Department for each parliamentary session for which the information is available.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Ministers take their responsibilities to Parliament seriously and prepare accordingly. However, it is not possible to provide an estimate for hours spent preparing Ministers to respond to Westminster Hall Debates. There will be differences in the Civil Service, Special Adviser and Ministerial time depending on the policy matter and length of the debate. Debates can also be cross-cutting and require resources from multiple departments or engage departmental bodies.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of the proposed changes to Inheritance Tax on the number of pensioners who will increase the rate at which they draw down their pension funds.

Answered by James Murray - Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General

Reforms to the inheritance tax treatment of pensions announced at the Autumn Budget 2024 will remove distortions resulting from changes that have been made to pensions tax policy over the last decade, which have led to pensions being openly used and marketed as a tax planning vehicle to transfer wealth, rather than as a way to fund retirement.

More than 90 per cent of estates each year will continue to pay no inheritance tax after these and other changes.

The Government continues to incentivise pension savings to help fund retirement and pensions continue to benefit from very significant tax benefits, with gross income tax and National Insurance contributions relief costing £83.9 billion in 2024-25.

The Government published its assessment of the measure at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/inheritance-tax-unused-pension-funds-and-death-benefits/inheritance-tax-unused-pension-funds-and-death-benefits

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the impact on retired members' ability to plan their finances of delays in issuing Remediable Service Statements under the McCloud remedy.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)

As of 31 March 2026, 478,761 Remediable Service Statements (RSSs) remained outstanding. Currently, 466,909 remain outstanding for members of the Teachers' Pension Scheme. Of these, 64,484 relate to retired members.

The majority of retired members impacted by the McCloud remedy will have the option to retain their benefits currently in payment. If they decide to choose the alternative benefits, the RSS will provide them with all the detail to make an informed choice, including the implications this choice will have on the benefits they currently receive. Any change in benefits will be backdated and details of this are also included in the RSS.

As the Minister for School Standards, I have official responsibility for the Teachers’ Pension Scheme, which includes delivery of the rectification work following the McCloud judgement.

The department recognises that there have been delays in the processing of McCloud remedy cases. Officials continue to closely monitor progress and work with Capita to address these delays, while also working with the incoming administrator, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), to ensure the remedy work is a key focus following the transition in administration.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, who within her Department has ministerial and official responsibility for oversight of the delivery of Remediable Service Statements by the Teachers' Pension Scheme.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)

As of 31 March 2026, 478,761 Remediable Service Statements (RSSs) remained outstanding. Currently, 466,909 remain outstanding for members of the Teachers' Pension Scheme. Of these, 64,484 relate to retired members.

The majority of retired members impacted by the McCloud remedy will have the option to retain their benefits currently in payment. If they decide to choose the alternative benefits, the RSS will provide them with all the detail to make an informed choice, including the implications this choice will have on the benefits they currently receive. Any change in benefits will be backdated and details of this are also included in the RSS.

As the Minister for School Standards, I have official responsibility for the Teachers’ Pension Scheme, which includes delivery of the rectification work following the McCloud judgement.

The department recognises that there have been delays in the processing of McCloud remedy cases. Officials continue to closely monitor progress and work with Capita to address these delays, while also working with the incoming administrator, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), to ensure the remedy work is a key focus following the transition in administration.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of increased access to CPTPP markets on UK food and drink exports.

Answered by Stephen Morgan - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

CPTPP membership gives UK food and drink exporters access to a trading bloc with a combined GDP of around £13 trillion. Over 99% of UK exports to CPTPP members will be eligible for tariff-free trade. For example, the UK dairy sector will benefit from lower tariffs in Canada, Chile, Japan and Mexico, while whisky and chocolate exporters will benefit from reduced tariffs in Malaysia and Mexico. As a living agreement, CPTPP's continued expansion could create further opportunities for UK exporters.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what estimate his Department has made of the annual increase in UK GDP attributable to full UK access to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade) (Jointly with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Department’s 2023 impact assessment estimated that the UK's accession to CPTPP could increase UK gross domestic product (GDP) by £2.0 billion each year in the long run, compared with projected GDP in 2040 without the agreement, in 2021 prices.

The assessment considered the marginal impact on the UK of acceding to CPTPP in full, meaning accession having been ratified by all 11 original CPTPP members. Full UK access has now been achieved following Canada’s ratification of UK accession.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Education on skills provision for the Future Combat Air System programme.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Ministry of Defence works closely with the Department for Education to ensure skills provisions reflect the needs of major defence programmes, including the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) programme.

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, if she will make an estimate of what expenditure has already been incurred on the Digital ID programme prior to its cancellation.

Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)

The programme incurred costs associated with policy development, consultation, public engagement, programme management and communications activity. The validated figures will be reported through the usual departmental processes in due course.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether the review of registered political party and Third party Campaigner spending limits will include consideration of expenditure by third-party campaigners and unincorporated associations.

Answered by Florence Eshalomi - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

On 10 July 2026, the then Minister for Democracy wrote to the Electoral Commission asking it to review registered political party and third-party campaigner spending limits and provide recommendations by July 2027. On 29 August 2026, the Secretary of State and First Secretary of State expanded the review to include candidate spending limits. The relevant letters are publicly available on GOV.UK.

The Government has not provided the Electoral Commission with formal terms of reference. As the independent regulator for elections, it is appropriate that the Electoral Commission determines how best to conduct the review and consider interactions across the electoral spending framework.

Unincorporated associations are not currently subject to spending limits and are therefore outside the scope of the review. Separately, the Representation of the People Bill contains measures to strengthen the rules that apply to unincorporated associations.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether the review into political party spending will examine interactions between candidate spending limits and national party spending limits.

Answered by Florence Eshalomi - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

On 10 July 2026, the then Minister for Democracy wrote to the Electoral Commission asking it to review registered political party and third-party campaigner spending limits and provide recommendations by July 2027. On 29 August 2026, the Secretary of State and First Secretary of State expanded the review to include candidate spending limits. The relevant letters are publicly available on GOV.UK.

The Government has not provided the Electoral Commission with formal terms of reference. As the independent regulator for elections, it is appropriate that the Electoral Commission determines how best to conduct the review and consider interactions across the electoral spending framework.

Unincorporated associations are not currently subject to spending limits and are therefore outside the scope of the review. Separately, the Representation of the People Bill contains measures to strengthen the rules that apply to unincorporated associations.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, if he will provide an estimate of the number of hours spent (a) responding to and (b) preparing for Westminster Hall Debates by (i) government ministers, (ii) civil servants and (iii) special advisers in his Department for each parliamentary session for which the information is available.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)

It is not possible to provide an estimate for hours spent preparing Ministers to respond to Westminster Hall Debates. There will be differences in the Civil Service, Special Adviser and Ministerial time depending on the policy matter and length of the debate. Debates can also be cross-cutting and require resources from multiple departments or engagement from departmental bodies.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the export potential of technologies developed under the Future Combat Air System programme.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Future Combat Air System (FCAS) programme is sustaining and growing the UK’s Combat Air sector and the UK's strong international position in combat air exports. The Global Combat Air Programme will deliver a sixth-generation crewed combat aircraft which is well-placed for export. Technologies developed through FCAS offer further, wide opportunities for export.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether the Office for Budget Responsibility was consulted before the announcement of the VAT reduction on electricity bills.

Answered by James Murray - Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General

The Government’s recent announcement to cut VAT on electricity bills applies and is funded from 1st October 2026 to 31st March 2027.

Tax decisions will be taken at the Budget alongside an Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) forecast. All decisions will be funded and consistent with the government’s fiscal rules.

The OBR publishes a log of substantive contact made between ministers, special advisers, private office and opposition MPs and the OBR on its website.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of clinical waste collection services provided to GP practices in (a) Lancashire and (b) Cumbria.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

No assessment has been made.

Health Technical Memorandum 07-01: Safe and sustainable management of healthcare waste provides the principal National Health Service technical guidance, supported by the NHS Clinical Waste Strategy, statutory waste-duty-of-care requirements, and infection-prevention expectations.

Responsibility for the provision of clinical waste services rests with the practices and the local integrated care boards (ICBs), who will agree to the relevant contracts for its supply.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate he has made of the cost to the Exchequer of removing VAT from domestic electricity bills in 2026-27.

Answered by James Murray - Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General

The Government’s recent announcement to cut VAT on electricity bills applies and is funded from 1st October 2026 to 31st March 2027.

Tax decisions will be taken at the Budget alongside an Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) forecast. All decisions will be funded and consistent with the government’s fiscal rules.

The OBR publishes a log of substantive contact made between ministers, special advisers, private office and opposition MPs and the OBR on its website.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many waste sites in (i) England and (ii) Lancashire are currently categorised by the Environment Agency as high risk.

Answered by Emma Hardy - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

As of 1 September 2026, there are 267 illegal waste sites classified as high risk in England.

As of 1 September 2026, there are 17 illegal waste sites classified as high risk in Lancashire.

These figures are subject to change as new sites are identified and existing sites are stopped.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, with reference to the press release entitled Business Secretary: “I'm backing investment and innovation to power good growth in every corner of the UK”, published on 22 July 2026, what proportion of the aerospace research funding represents new funding.

Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade) (Jointly with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Government announced more than £500 million of industry-led aerospace research and technology projects at the Farnborough International Airshow. The co-funding provided through the Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) Programme will support innovation, growth and high-skilled jobs across the UK aerospace sector. The announced funding for the projects had not been announced before but will come from within existing departmental budgets, which were set at up to £2.3 billion at the last Spending Review.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what assessment he has made of the value for money of the C-LEO Programme.

Answered by Chris McDonald - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

A value for money assessment of the Connectivity in Low Earth Orbit (C-LEO) programme is a key part of the Programme’s Business Case and included a combination of quantitative Cost Benefit Analysis metrics, qualitative impacts, and assessment of strategic alignment. A mid-programme Business Case review in early 2026 determined that the C-LEO programme should be extended by 2 years as the best value for money offering a significant return on investment, supporting the space sector, creating jobs, and generating growth.

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, whether social media platforms will be required to apply the default settings automatically to existing 16 and 17-year-old users.

Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)

The Government has set out plans to introduce measures for 16- and 17-year-olds on social media. Social media platforms must restrict by default access between midnight and 6am, mute overnight push notifications, and turn off autoplay and personalised recommender feeds.

We are also putting in place additional protections for 16- and 17-year-olds, which keep livestreaming and stranger communication off by default, including on social media services. Once in effect, these measures will apply to existing 16- and 17-year-old users.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the quality and sustainability of jobs entered by participants in the Pathways to Work programme.

Answered by Andrew Western - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

Pathways to Work is part of the Government's commitment to break down barriers to opportunity for disabled people and people with health conditions, backed by £3.5 billion of investment by the end of the decade.

We are creating a joined-up system of voluntary work, health and skills support so everyone can access the right support for them, at the right time.

Pathways to Work therefore brings together changes in our Jobcentres and a range of specialist and more intensive support, including Connect to Work and WorkWell, to help disabled people and people with health conditions access the benefits of good work.

Pathways to Work is at an early stage of delivery and the Department intends to evaluate the impact of Pathways to Work on employment in due course.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will provide an estimate of the number of hours spent (a) responding to and (b) preparing for Westminster Hall Debates by (i) government ministers, (ii) civil servants and (iii) special advisers in her Department for each parliamentary session for which the information is available.

Answered by Paul Waugh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

It is not possible to provide an estimate of the time spent preparing ministers to respond to Westminster Hall debates. The amount of Civil Service, Special Adviser and Ministerial time involved varies depending on the policy issues covered and the length of the debate. Debates may also be cross-cutting in nature, requiring input from multiple government departments or their arm’s length bodies.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if she will make an estimate of the costs relating to the establishment of Number 10 in the north.

Answered by Mark Ferguson - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

No10 North is central to the Prime Minister’s commitment to get good growth in every postcode, drive devolution, and bring Government closer to the communities it serves. Mayors, employers, councils, and public services, will work in equal partnership with central government so that decisions about this country’s economic future are no longer only taken in Westminster. The cost of establishing No 10 North is covered by existing departmental budgets. Staffing costs are regularly published as part of the Cabinet Office’s Organogram, available on gov.uk. The Prime Minister splits his time between Downing Street and No10 North as part of his commitment to making government work for every part of the country. Further details were made available on the Government's Machinery of Government changes, including the establishment of No10 North, in the First Secretary of State's Statement on the 02 September, Official Report, Column 173-196.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if her Department will carry out an investigation into the prevalence of polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) pollution in the water supply in Lancashire.

Answered by Emma Hardy - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) regulates the quality of public water supplies in England, including Lancashire, and requires water companies to test for a wide range of substances, including PFAS, to ensure supplies remain safe.

Following a public enquiry regarding reported PFAS contamination near Thornton-Cleveleys, DWI's records confirm that United Utilities does not draw water for public supply from abstraction points in the affected area.

DWI continues to monitor water quality across Lancashire and will investigate should new evidence of contamination affecting a public water supply emerge.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, with reference to the press release issued by UK Export Finance entitled Public bodies mobilise £50 billion to drive UK economic growth and support over 802,000 jobs, published on 15 July 2026, how much funding has been provided by (a) UK Export Finance, (b) the British Business Bank, (c) the National Wealth Fund and (d) Innovate UK to businesses and projects in Lancashire since July 2024.

Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade) (Jointly with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

In the 2024/25 and 2025/26 financial years, the support included in the press release comprised (a) £25.5 billion from UK Export Finance (UKEF) , (b) £16.1 billion from the British Business Bank (BBB), (c) £5.6 billion from the National Wealth Fund (NWF) and (d) £2.2 billion from Innovate UK (IUK). These figures use the appropriate measure for each institution and include finance provided directly, private capital invested alongside public funding and lending supported through guarantees.

The 802,740 jobs supported through with this activity comprised 155,000 reported by UKEF, 40,740 by the NWF and 607,000 by the BBB. The institutions use different methodologies, so a robust aggregate breakdown on the basis requested is not available.

The four institutions do not all hold funding data specifically for Lancashire on a consistent basis. Across the 2024/25 and 2025/26 financial years, IUK awarded £8,502,932 through competitions to businesses and project participants in Lancashire. Between October 2024 and end-March 2026 NWF has invested £455m in the North West. Post-code level data about deals supported by the NWF can be found online at: Mapping our impact across the UK. UKEF’s provision of support is demand-led. It also has an Export Finance Manger covering Lancashire who can provide support and information for local businesses looking to export.

UKEF does not hold details of the proportion of exporters supported at constituency or county level. Full details of the businesses it supports each year are published online at: UK Export Finance: business supported - GOV.UK. The support that UKEF provides extends beyond its immediate customers. For instance, recently published research by Oxford Economics (available online at: UK exporters boost economy, as new study reveals major impact of export credit on UK industry - GOV.UK) shows that there are 115,000 businesses in the supply chains of businesses directly supported by UKEF.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, with reference to the press release issued by UK Export Finance entitled Public bodies mobilise £50 billion to drive UK economic growth and support over 802,000 jobs, published on 15 July 2026, how much of the support was allocated by (a) UK Export Finance, (b) the British Business Bank, (c) the National Wealth Fund and (d) Innovate UK.

Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade) (Jointly with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

In the 2024/25 and 2025/26 financial years, the support included in the press release comprised (a) £25.5 billion from UK Export Finance (UKEF) , (b) £16.1 billion from the British Business Bank (BBB), (c) £5.6 billion from the National Wealth Fund (NWF) and (d) £2.2 billion from Innovate UK (IUK). These figures use the appropriate measure for each institution and include finance provided directly, private capital invested alongside public funding and lending supported through guarantees.

The 802,740 jobs supported through with this activity comprised 155,000 reported by UKEF, 40,740 by the NWF and 607,000 by the BBB. The institutions use different methodologies, so a robust aggregate breakdown on the basis requested is not available.

The four institutions do not all hold funding data specifically for Lancashire on a consistent basis. Across the 2024/25 and 2025/26 financial years, IUK awarded £8,502,932 through competitions to businesses and project participants in Lancashire. Between October 2024 and end-March 2026 NWF has invested £455m in the North West. Post-code level data about deals supported by the NWF can be found online at: Mapping our impact across the UK. UKEF’s provision of support is demand-led. It also has an Export Finance Manger covering Lancashire who can provide support and information for local businesses looking to export.

UKEF does not hold details of the proportion of exporters supported at constituency or county level. Full details of the businesses it supports each year are published online at: UK Export Finance: business supported - GOV.UK. The support that UKEF provides extends beyond its immediate customers. For instance, recently published research by Oxford Economics (available online at: UK exporters boost economy, as new study reveals major impact of export credit on UK industry - GOV.UK) shows that there are 115,000 businesses in the supply chains of businesses directly supported by UKEF.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, with reference to the press release issued by UK Export Finance entitled Public bodies mobilise £50 billion to drive UK economic growth and support over 802,000 jobs, published on 15 July 2026, how many of the jobs supported or sustained were (a) newly created and (b) existing jobs retained.

Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade) (Jointly with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

In the 2024/25 and 2025/26 financial years, the support included in the press release comprised (a) £25.5 billion from UK Export Finance (UKEF) , (b) £16.1 billion from the British Business Bank (BBB), (c) £5.6 billion from the National Wealth Fund (NWF) and (d) £2.2 billion from Innovate UK (IUK). These figures use the appropriate measure for each institution and include finance provided directly, private capital invested alongside public funding and lending supported through guarantees.

The 802,740 jobs supported through with this activity comprised 155,000 reported by UKEF, 40,740 by the NWF and 607,000 by the BBB. The institutions use different methodologies, so a robust aggregate breakdown on the basis requested is not available.

The four institutions do not all hold funding data specifically for Lancashire on a consistent basis. Across the 2024/25 and 2025/26 financial years, IUK awarded £8,502,932 through competitions to businesses and project participants in Lancashire. Between October 2024 and end-March 2026 NWF has invested £455m in the North West. Post-code level data about deals supported by the NWF can be found online at: Mapping our impact across the UK. UKEF’s provision of support is demand-led. It also has an Export Finance Manger covering Lancashire who can provide support and information for local businesses looking to export.

UKEF does not hold details of the proportion of exporters supported at constituency or county level. Full details of the businesses it supports each year are published online at: UK Export Finance: business supported - GOV.UK. The support that UKEF provides extends beyond its immediate customers. For instance, recently published research by Oxford Economics (available online at: UK exporters boost economy, as new study reveals major impact of export credit on UK industry - GOV.UK) shows that there are 115,000 businesses in the supply chains of businesses directly supported by UKEF.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many military family homes have been fully upgraded under the Defence Housing Strategy since its publication, broken down by region.

Answered by Calvin Bailey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans and People)

395 Service Family Accommodation homes have been fully upgraded under the Defence Housing Strategy, since its publication on 3 November 2025.

The table below shows the regional breakdown:

Delivery is already underway, with upgrades recently completed on 1,250 of the poorest-quality homes. Further improvement programmes are progressing across the estate this financial year, including bringing 1,000 previously unavailable homes back online, while targeted works continue to modernise occupied properties.

The Defence Housing Strategy provides a decade-long plan to modernise or rebuild approximately 40,000 military homes to a higher standard. This will ensure there are enough high-quality houses in the right location.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many former members of the Armed Forces are receiving legal support funded by his Department in relation to Troubles-related investigations, inquests or prosecutions.

Answered by Calvin Bailey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans and People)

The Ministry of Defence is currently funding independent legal representation for 13 former members of the Armed Forces in relation to Troubles-related investigations, inquests and prosecutions.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many environmental permits were (a) suspended, (b) revoked and (c) remain under consideration for revocation following Operation Unite.

Answered by Emma Hardy - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

At the close of Op UNITE ( 22 July 2026) the recorded position was:

8 Suspended

3 Revoked

6 under consideration for revocation

An updated position will require more time to gather accurately.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many additional Service Family Accommodation properties are scheduled to be upgraded during the 2026–27 financial year.

Answered by Calvin Bailey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans and People)

Upgrades have recently completed on 1,250 of the poorest-quality homes. Further improvement programmes are progressing across the estate this financial year, including bringing 1,000 previously unavailable homes back online, while targeted works continue to modernise occupied properties.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many bereavement cases being administered by Capita are currently more than (a) 30, (b) 60, (c) 100 and (d) 150 days old.

Answered by Sally Jameson - Parliamentary Secretary and Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government)

There are currently 20,897 outstanding retirement quotations, representing 18,615 unique members. Individual members may have multiple records where they have separate periods of pensionable service or duplicate requests under review. Complete and reliable retirement date information is not held across all outstanding cases; determining how many members have passed their intended retirement date would require a manual case-by-case review.

The age breakdown of outstanding bereavement cases being administered by Capita is as follows:

• (a) 31 to 60 days old: 7,781

• (b) 61 to 100 days old: 2,705

• (c) 101 to 150 days old: 2,792

• (d) More than 150 days old: 1,107

(Note: Cumulatively, this equates to 14,385 cases over 30 days old; 6,604 cases over 60 days old; and 3,899 cases over 100 days old).

Current service levels are unacceptable, and the Government is taking robust action to hold Capita to account. This includes withholding £9.9 million in contract payments for undelivered milestones, alongside confirmation that the Government surge team costs will be recovered directly from Capita.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much funding has the Future Combat Air System programme received in each financial year since 2018.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Since 2018, the UK Government has invested more than £5 billion across the Future Combat Air System programme.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what estimate he has made of the annual cost to the public purse of the legacy mechanisms proposed to replace the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023.

Answered by Sarah Owen - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Northern Ireland Office)

The Northern Ireland Office continues to have discussions with partners, including HM Treasury and the Independent Commission for the Retrieval of Information and Reconciliation (ICRIR), about the budget which will be required by the Legacy Commission which will replace ICRIR under the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill. These discussions will continue during the passage of the Bill as the shape of the new Commission is debated and set in statute.

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions she has had with AI developers regarding the implementation of mandatory breaks for users under the age of 18.

Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)

The Government engaged extensively with a wide range of stakeholders, including AI developers, as part of our landmark consultation, "Growing up in the online world", which received more than 116,000 responses.

As announced in our response to the consultation, we will require AI chatbots to introduce mandatory breaks for under-18s. We will continue to engage regularly with a range of organisations as part of the policy development process.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what mechanisms will be used to ensure that electricity suppliers pass on the full value of the VAT reduction to domestic customers.

Answered by Polly Billington - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

My Rt. Hon. Friends the Secretary of State and Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer have written to all energy suppliers on this issue. Officials in DESNZ and HM Treasury are also working with energy suppliers on a robust system that ensures this reduction is fully passed on to consumers.

Suppliers have confirmed they will pass the VAT reduction on electricity on to all of their customers, including those on fixed tariffs, and it remains the Government’s clear expectation that they do so.

The treatment of these specific charges falls under existing VAT mechanisms governed by HMRC rules.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make an estimate of the number of hours spent (a) responding to and (b) preparing for Westminster Hall Debates by (i) government ministers, (ii) civil servants and (iii) special advisers in his Department for each parliamentary session for which the information is available.

Answered by Calvin Bailey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans and People)

It is not possible to provide information on the number of hours spent for preparing Ministers, civil servants and special advisers to respond to Westminster Hall Debates. There will be differences in the time spent depending on the policy matter and length of the debate. Debates can also be cross-cutting and require resources from multiple departments or engage departmental bodies.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the proposed withdrawal of STFC operational funding for the e-MERLIN radio telescope array on the UK's national radio astronomy capability.

Answered by Chris McDonald - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

UK Research and Innovation assessed the implications of future investments in radio astronomy as part of an evidence-based prioritisation exercise, which led to the decision not to continue STFC funding for e-MERLIN beyond March 2028. Options were assessed against scientific excellence, long-term research impact, strategic importance to the UK and international leadership. To maintain the UK's long-term capability in radio astronomy, the Government continues to prioritise investment in the Square Kilometre Array Observatory, with £327 million committed between 2021 and 2030. Jodrell Bank will continue to host the international SKAO headquarters helping to sustain the UK’s internationally leading role in radio astronomy research and collaboration.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, whether Ministers were consulted by UK Research and Innovation or the Science and Technology Facilities Council before the decision was taken to end future operational funding for e-MERLIN.

Answered by Chris McDonald - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

Ministers were consulted throughout UK Research and Innovation's consideration of the Science and Technology Facilities Council's prioritisation outcomes, including through advice submitted on 15 June 2026 on proposals to manage STFC's financial pressures, which included the proposal not to continue funding e-MERLIN beyond March 2028, and further advice provided on 26 June and 2 July 2026. As part of the wider prioritisation approach, STFC protected Particle Physics, Astronomy, and Nuclear Physics (PPAN) grants, postdoctoral funding, PhD studentships and fellowships to help maintain long-term research capability.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what costs his Department has incurred in supporting the judicial review relating to the Clonoe inquest findings.

Answered by Calvin Bailey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans and People)

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) records show it has incurred over £600,000 in legal costs for the judicial review. This total covers the costs of both the MOD, and of the veterans' judicial review proceedings.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, whether his Department has assessed the value for money of continued operational funding for e-MERLIN, taking account of (a) scientific capability, (b) skills retention, (c) industrial benefits and (d) national security applications.

Answered by Chris McDonald - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The decision not to continue operational funding for e-MERLIN beyond March 2028 followed a comprehensive, evidence-based prioritisation exercise undertaken by UK Research and Innovation. Options were assessed against criteria including scientific excellence, long-term research impact, strategic importance to the UK, international leadership, value for money and the preservation of capabilities that would be difficult or impossible to recreate if lost. The exercise also considered evidence from affected projects and the wider research community. As part of the wider prioritisation approach, STFC protected Particle Physics, Astronomy and Nuclear Physics grants for postdoctoral funding at 2025/26 levels, as well as PhD studentships and fellowships, to help sustain long-term research capability and skills.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential for increased illegal imports or black market sales arising from restrictions on louder fireworks.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)

The illegal importation and sale of fireworks are already offences. As part of its consultation on pyrotechnics and fireworks, the Government is seeking views on potential unintended consequences of restricting access to certain fireworks and pyrotechnic products, including any impacts on illicit supply.

The Government is also considering responses to its earlier consultation on UK’s New Product Safety Framework, which included measures to tackle the sale of unsafe and illegal products online, and will announce any changes to that framework in due course.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department has issued guidance on the relevance of the Overseas Operations (Service Personnel and Veterans) Act 2021 to investigations relating to Operation Banner.

Answered by Calvin Bailey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans and People)

The Overseas Operations (Service Personnel and Veterans) Act 2021 is limited in scope to legal proceedings arising from overseas military operations outside the British Islands. The Act has no application for actions committed in Northern Ireland during Operation Banner.

This Government has brought forward separate legislation to deal with the legacy of the Troubles.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what guidance has been issued to Regional Care Cooperatives on ensuring a more equitable distribution of children's residential care provision between regions.

Answered by Josh MacAlister - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

Earlier this year, the government set out its vision for Regional Care Cooperatives (RCCs) in a published policy statement, which can be accessed at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/regional-care-co-operatives-pathfinder-areas/regional-care-cooperatives-policy-statement.

On 26 March 2026, the department launched an Expression of Interest (EoI) inviting prospective areas to come forward and bid for grant to set up a new RCC. New guidance was published alongside the EoI outlining the minimum requirements for all RCCs going forward, along with the RCC’s role in sufficiency planning in their area. Placement shortages are a key driver of children being placed in homes far from where they live. RCCs look to improve this by increasing local and regional sufficiency and making more places available locally for children who need them.

The department is working with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on planning reforms, and with Ofsted on strengthening its regulatory powers, to ensure new children’s homes are established only where there is a clear local need and children’s needs can be fully met.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what expenditure his Department has incurred on legal representation for veterans involved in Troubles-related legacy proceedings since 5 July 2024.

Answered by Calvin Bailey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans and People)

Since 5 July 2024, MOD records suggest more than £3.2 million has been spent on external legal representation commissioned directly by the Ministry of Defence for veterans involved in Troubles-related legacy proceedings.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many victims affected by changes to release dates are not currently enrolled in the Victim Contact Scheme.

Answered by Alex Davies-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)

The Sentencing Act 2026 changes the proportion of a standard determinate sentence that must be served in custody before an offender is automatically released on licence. Eligible victims who have opted into the Probation Service Victim Contact Scheme will be informed of any revised release date by their allocated Victim Liaison Officer. Those eligible victims who chose not to opt into the Scheme may not lawfully be informed of the offender’s release date.

On 4 August, the Prime Minister announced that victims who are not eligible for the Victim Contact Scheme will, where possible, be notified that they may request information about an offender's release under the provisions associated with the Sentencing Act 2026.

Release dates are currently being recalculated to reflect the changes introduced by the legislation. As this work is ongoing, the number of victims affected by changes to release dates who are not enrolled in the Victim Contact Scheme is not yet available.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what contingency plans are in place should prison capacity reach a level at which courts are unable to sentence offenders to immediate custody.

Answered by Catherine McKinnell - Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)

From January 2023 to September 2024, the adult male prison estate routinely operated at over 99% of capacity, however this is unsustainable and creates serious risks to the safe and effective operation of the criminal justice system.

If prisons reach capacity, courts would be forced to suspend trials, the police to halt arrests and public safety put at risk. That is why this Government has taken decisive action to put prison capacity on a sustainable footing, including through the Sentencing Act 2026 and the delivery of 14,000 additional prison places by 2031.

We continually monitor the prison population, and in the event that pressures begin to impact the wider Criminal Justice System, HMPPS has established contingency arrangements to manage offender flows.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of the risks to the operation of the criminal justice system if the adult male prison estate exceeds 99 per cent capacity.

Answered by Catherine McKinnell - Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)

From January 2023 to September 2024, the adult male prison estate routinely operated at over 99% of capacity, however this is unsustainable and creates serious risks to the safe and effective operation of the criminal justice system.

If prisons reach capacity, courts would be forced to suspend trials, the police to halt arrests and public safety put at risk. That is why this Government has taken decisive action to put prison capacity on a sustainable footing, including through the Sentencing Act 2026 and the delivery of 14,000 additional prison places by 2031.

We continually monitor the prison population, and in the event that pressures begin to impact the wider Criminal Justice System, HMPPS has established contingency arrangements to manage offender flows.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what mechanisms exist for neighbours to make complaints relating to activities taking place in dispersed asylum accommodation.

Answered by Anna Turley - Minister of State (Home Office)

Concerns relating to asylum accommodation may be raised with the accommodation provider, local authority, Home Office or local police, depending on the nature of the issue. Providers and the Home Office will consider and respond to enquiries and complaints as appropriate. Matters within the responsibility of local authorities should be raised with the relevant local authority, and concerns relating to criminal activity should be reported to the police.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the 24-week target on the number of successful asylum appeals.

Answered by Anna Turley - Minister of State (Home Office)

The 24-week timeframe provisions are designed to speed up appeals from non-detained foreign national offenders and those in asylum support accommodation, if it is reasonably practicable to do so. These provisions, however, are not designed or intended to change the outcome of any appeal.

All cases continue to be subject to the Tribunal’s overriding objectives, contained in the Tribunal Procedure (First-Tier Tribunal) (Immigration and Asylum Chamber) Rules 2014, which provide that cases should be dealt with fairly and justly.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department consulted (a) asylum seekers, (b) refugee organisations, (c) local authorities, (d) police forces and (e) organisations representing women and victims of domestic and sexual abuse before publishing the guide entitled Understanding behaviours and expectations in the UK: a guide for asylum seekers.

Answered by Anna Turley - Minister of State (Home Office)

The products were developed through an evidence-informed process involving behavioural expertise, stakeholder engagement and lived experience input from asylum seekers. These resources were produced to ensure there was clear and consistent information available to asylum seekers about what is expected of them while they are in the asylum system.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to improve the identification of women experiencing rough sleeping who may be at risk of violence, abuse or exploitation.

Answered by Florence Eshalomi - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Government recognises that women experiencing rough sleeping are often less visible and may be at greater risk of violence, abuse and exploitation.

On his first day in office, the Prime Minister launched an urgent national drive to end rough sleeping. We have announced £442 million new funding to support this ambition, taking total investment in homelessness and rough sleeping services over the next three years to over £4 billion.

Local areas should not rely on outreach to identify women who may need support, and instead work proactively with specialist women’s services, domestic abuse and violence against women and girls services, health partners and community organisations to identify and support women who may be sleeping rough or at risk of doing so. Further guidance on how local authorities are expected to support women through the Rough Sleeping Programme can be found here: Rough Sleeping Programme Guidance - GOV.UK.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate he has made of the cost to the Exchequer of reducing VAT from 20% to 5% on eligible activities between 25 June and 1 September 2026.

Answered by James Murray - Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General

From 25 June to 1 September the Government introduced a temporary reduced rate of VAT on children's menu meals and eligible family attractions.

This was a targeted and temporary scheme to reduce the costs of children’s meals in restaurants, children’s tickets for theatres and cinemas and tickets for everyone for attractions like soft play, adventure centres, and theme parks, helping families enjoy a day out for less.

The reduced rate of VAT under the Great British Summer Savings Scheme applies to all supplies within its scope. HM Treasury and HMRC do not hold information on the number of businesses making such supplies. This is because businesses are not required to provide information at a product level in their VAT returns, as this would impose an excessive administrative burden.

Over 2,100 eateries and attractions across the UK were listed on the Government’s Great British Summer Savings deal-finder website at https://summersavings.gov.uk/.

The temporary reduced rate is estimated to cost about £300m. All costings will be subject to certification in the next OBR forecast in the usual way.

The Government has published a Tax Information and Impact Note concerning the temporary reduced rate, which can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/temporary-reduced-rate-of-vat-for-childrens-meals-tickets-and-family-attractions

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, with reference to the section on proposal 3: reducing fireworks noise of his Department's consultation entitled Fireworks and pyrotechnics in the UK, published on 16 July 2026, what decibel threshold his Department is considering when defining the noisiest fireworks.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)

The consultation seeks to gather views on reducing the maximum permitted noise level of consumer fireworks. The Government is proposing to reduce the current maximum of 120 decibels (A, imp). The consultation seeks views on three options, a 110 decibel (A, imp) limit - which would halve the perceived loudness of fireworks – a 100 decibels (A, imp) limit or a 90 decibels (A, imp) limit should also be considered.

The Government will carefully consider all consultation responses, alongside the available evidence, before determining whether changes to the permitted noise limits for consumer fireworks are warranted and practical.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many businesses are participating in the Great British Summer Savings scheme in (a) Fylde constituency and (b) Lancashire.

Answered by James Murray - Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General

From 25 June to 1 September the Government introduced a temporary reduced rate of VAT on children's menu meals and eligible family attractions.

This was a targeted and temporary scheme to reduce the costs of children’s meals in restaurants, children’s tickets for theatres and cinemas and tickets for everyone for attractions like soft play, adventure centres, and theme parks, helping families enjoy a day out for less.

The reduced rate of VAT under the Great British Summer Savings Scheme applies to all supplies within its scope. HM Treasury and HMRC do not hold information on the number of businesses making such supplies. This is because businesses are not required to provide information at a product level in their VAT returns, as this would impose an excessive administrative burden.

Over 2,100 eateries and attractions across the UK were listed on the Government’s Great British Summer Savings deal-finder website at https://summersavings.gov.uk/.

The temporary reduced rate is estimated to cost about £300m. All costings will be subject to certification in the next OBR forecast in the usual way.

The Government has published a Tax Information and Impact Note concerning the temporary reduced rate, which can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/temporary-reduced-rate-of-vat-for-childrens-meals-tickets-and-family-attractions

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he plans to publish an evaluation of the Great British Summer Savings scheme following its conclusion.

Answered by James Murray - Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General

From 25 June to 1 September the Government introduced a temporary reduced rate of VAT on children's menu meals and eligible family attractions.

This was a targeted and temporary scheme to reduce the costs of children’s meals in restaurants, children’s tickets for theatres and cinemas and tickets for everyone for attractions like soft play, adventure centres, and theme parks, helping families enjoy a day out for less.

The reduced rate of VAT under the Great British Summer Savings Scheme applies to all supplies within its scope. HM Treasury and HMRC do not hold information on the number of businesses making such supplies. This is because businesses are not required to provide information at a product level in their VAT returns, as this would impose an excessive administrative burden.

Over 2,100 eateries and attractions across the UK were listed on the Government’s Great British Summer Savings deal-finder website at https://summersavings.gov.uk/.

The temporary reduced rate is estimated to cost about £300m. All costings will be subject to certification in the next OBR forecast in the usual way.

The Government has published a Tax Information and Impact Note concerning the temporary reduced rate, which can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/temporary-reduced-rate-of-vat-for-childrens-meals-tickets-and-family-attractions

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many businesses have registered to participate in the Great British Summer Savings scheme.

Answered by James Murray - Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General

From 25 June to 1 September the Government introduced a temporary reduced rate of VAT on children's menu meals and eligible family attractions.

This was a targeted and temporary scheme to reduce the costs of children’s meals in restaurants, children’s tickets for theatres and cinemas and tickets for everyone for attractions like soft play, adventure centres, and theme parks, helping families enjoy a day out for less.

The reduced rate of VAT under the Great British Summer Savings Scheme applies to all supplies within its scope. HM Treasury and HMRC do not hold information on the number of businesses making such supplies. This is because businesses are not required to provide information at a product level in their VAT returns, as this would impose an excessive administrative burden.

Over 2,100 eateries and attractions across the UK were listed on the Government’s Great British Summer Savings deal-finder website at https://summersavings.gov.uk/.

The temporary reduced rate is estimated to cost about £300m. All costings will be subject to certification in the next OBR forecast in the usual way.

The Government has published a Tax Information and Impact Note concerning the temporary reduced rate, which can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/temporary-reduced-rate-of-vat-for-childrens-meals-tickets-and-family-attractions

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many 18 to 24-year-olds are eligible for the Jobs Guarantee in each rollout area.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

The Jobs Guarantee scheme will begin national rollout from November and will be available to all eligible 18–24-year-olds who have been on Universal Credit and looking for work for 18 months. National rollout of the scheme will be delivered in 25 areas across Great Britain and is expected to support more than 90,000 young people over the next three years, contributing to this government’s long-term ambition to increase employment and reduce long-term youth unemployment.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of reservoir capacity to provide water to households in Lancashire.

Answered by Emma Hardy - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The Government keeps water resource resilience under review through water company Water Resources Management Planning processes and Environment Agency (EA) monitoring.

In Lancashire, water supplies are mainly provided by United Utilities. Most United Utilities customers are served by their Strategic Resource Zone, around 90% of which relies on more than 140 reservoirs. Supplies are supplemented by groundwater from the Fylde aquifer, the Rivers Lune and Wyre, and water transferred from Cumbrian reservoirs.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many children in Fylde constituency are expected to become newly eligible for free school meals as a result of the expansion to households receiving Universal Credit.

Answered by Paul Waugh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

From the start of the 2026/27 academic year, all children in households receiving Universal Credit attending state-funded schools in England are eligible for free school meals. We anticipate that over half a million additional pupils nationally will become eligible as a result of this expansion, which is expected to lift around 100,000 children out of poverty by the end of this Parliament. Eligibility will depend on household circumstances and the number of families in receipt of Universal Credit whose children were not previously entitled to free school meals.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will make an estimate of the number of hours spent (a) responding to and (b) preparing for Westminster Hall Debates by (i) government ministers, (ii) civil servants and (iii) special advisers in his Department for each parliamentary session for which the information is available.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer given on 17 July 2026 to Question UIN 17480.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how much additional funding will be provided to schools in Fylde constituency to meet the cost of the expansion of free school meals.

Answered by Paul Waugh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

The government has set aside over £1 billion across the Spending Review period to meet the additional meal costs associated with extending free school meals to all children in households receiving Universal Credit. Funding for individual schools will depend on the number of pupils who become newly eligible. In 2026/27, mainstream schools will receive additional support through the Free School Meals Expansion Grant, which provides £505 per additional eligible pupil per year, with a pro-rata rate of £295 per pupil for the period September 2026 to March 2027, while the funding system adjusts to increased eligibility.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the impact on local public services of accommodating children placed in residential care from outside the local authority area.

Answered by Josh MacAlister - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

The government recognises that out-of-area placements can place additional demands on local public services, including education, health, safeguarding and policing.

Care planning and placement guidance recognises that children placed at a distance from their home community may require additional coordination between agencies and local authorities to ensure their needs are met and they are kept safe. Local authorities should notify receiving authorities when making out-of-area placements to support effective safeguarding and service coordination.

To reduce reliance on placements far from home, the government is investing £560 million between 2026/27 and 2029/30 to expand children's homes and foster care capacity and is introducing Regional Care Cooperatives (RCCs). Placement shortages are a key driver of children being placed in homes far from where they live. RCCs will look to improve this by increasing local and regional sufficiency and making more places available locally for children who need them.

Question to the Wales Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, if she will provide an estimate of the number of hours were spent (a) responding to and (b) preparing for Westminster Hall Debates by (i) government ministers, (ii) civil servants and (iii) special advisers in her Department for each parliamentary session for which the information is available.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Secretary of State for Wales

It is not possible to provide an estimate for hours spent preparing Ministers to respond to Westminster Hall Debates. There will be differences in the Civil Service, Special Adviser and Ministerial time depending on the policy matter and length of the debate. Debates can also be cross-cutting and require resources from multiple departments or engage departmental bodies.

Question to the Scotland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, if he will provide an estimate of the number of hours spent (a) responding to and (b) preparing for Westminster Hall Debates by (i) government ministers, (ii) civil servants and (iii) special advisers in his Department for each parliamentary session for which the information is available.

Answered by Melanie Ward - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Scotland Office)

It is not possible to provide an estimate for hours spent preparing Ministers to respond to Westminster Hall Debates. There will be differences in the Civil Service, Special Adviser and Ministerial time depending on the policy matter and length of the debate. Debates can also be cross-cutting and require resources from multiple departments or engage departmental bodies.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of including stations serving Blackpool, Kirkham & Wesham, Poulton-le-Fylde and Lytham in future phases of the ticket gate rollout.

Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Department assesses proposals for ticket gate installations against a range of criteria, including value for money, deliverability and local operational considerations. We did not receive any proposals for ticket gate installations at stations serving Blackpool, Kirkham & Wesham, Poulton-le-Fylde or Lytham as part of the first phase of the rollout. Any future proposals for these or other stations would be considered against the relevant assessment criteria.